New line in Old places

Chris Burns getting creative on the First Recorded Ascent of Hey Ho V4 at Joey Ramone. Click for vid

Mobeta is a community effort to document climbing in Nova Scotia for the current and generation and those who come after us (to make us feel old and take up trad climbing). In that spirit, the site is adding new info to the topos to recognize community contributions and share their experience for others to enjoy: FRA (first recorded ascent) and FFA (first female ascent).

Sir William Martin Conway was the OG in 1894 and said it best:

The only object of recording ascents at all is for the help and direction of aftercomers. The credit due to explorers can only be measured by the utility of their work to others. The first ascent is therefore the first recorded ascent--the first ascent so recorded that others are enabled to follow easily where the first man forced his way in doubt and perplexity. An unrecorded ascent is nothing; one badly recorded is little more. The man who merely ascends a peak and contents himself with stating the fact can only be regarded as swaggering. If he records his route in plain language he deserves thanks. If he so records it that readers can discover its interest and beauty compared with the interest and beauty of other ascents, he deserves much more credit.

I'll admit, I got bored and only read the first line. Attention spans are shorter in 2013. It started out strong though. No question. Bottom line: Be creative. Have fun. Share your passion. Swagger is so 2003. We way over that.